Recent statements from Pavel Kamantsev, who leads the refereeing division of the Russian Football Union, indicate that Vitaly Meshkov is projected to return to duty in the near term. Kamantsev affirmed Meshkov’s comeback is definite and expressed optimism about his reintroduction in the 21st round or during the Russian Cup fixture. The focus, he explained, remains on ensuring that referees perform flawlessly, with rotation schedules largely influenced by the decisions of Meshkov’s colleagues. This update comes amid renewed attention on officiating standards in Russia’s top flight.
Meshkov’s return follows a notable incident in which he did not count Alexander Sobolev’s goal for Moscow Spartak in the match against Ural Yekaterinburg during the 18th week of the Russian Premier League. The game ultimately ended 2-2, a result that sparked discussion about officiating decisions and led to Meshkov not receiving assignments in subsequent matches.
In the broader dialogue about refereeing, Anzor Kavazashvili, a former Soviet Union national team goalkeeper and Spartak alumnus, suggested that Meshkov could face a suspension through the remainder of the Russian championship season. Kavazashvili stressed that a serious mistake by an official warrants penalties, arguing that Spartak’s perspective on the incident highlighted the decisive nature of the call in question. The debate reflects ongoing concerns about consistency and accountability in top-tier Russian football officiating.
Previously, Leonid Fedun, a former Spartak owner, joined the conversation by addressing the comments made by Kamantsev. The discourse touched on comparisons between Meshkov’s controversial decision and the actions of Spartak players, including Quincy Promes, underscoring how one call can trigger a cascade of scrutiny from clubs, fans, and media alike. The exchange illustrates the high-stakes environment in which referees operate and the pressure to balance accuracy with game continuity.